How can I improve my piano playing?

[crusader13]

I'm 13, and I'm a intermediate piano student...and I've been stuck at this level for almost 2 years! I want to improve on my piano playing and become a full fledged pianist between the years of 2014 - 2016, but I don't think I'll be getting there any time soon. The reason is because I've kinda gotten a bad habit. Like when I make a mistake, I'll go back and try to correct it until it's good and it's really a bad habit esp when I'm performing. I've gone weeks without passing a song and back then I was graduating to new music books every 4 - 6 weeks, probably because of my baritone saxophone exp but now I'm at a level I've never been and it's hurting my brain ! I seriously need to get to the advanced level and all the piano teachers I've had (3 or 4 in the last year or two), keep telling me I've so much potential and I want to get there so help. Also, if there are other ways I can get to the advanced piano playing level AQAP then that would be great to!

[ajspiano]

Firstly, in future - post in the students corner - the performance board is intended for advanced and professional pianists.

That said, if you can stomach a lot of reading - there is an absolutely enormous amount of literature available to you around the web.

I strongly suggest you start with a couple of specific things.

Bach's first invention (because inventions will really help your playing if you study them diligently - read this thread.. (the whole thing, there are multiple posts) - even if you've already learnt it still go and do this.
https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php/topic,2714.msg23310.html#msg23310

Also - this site (read it and apply its content gradually over time - there is a lot to absorb)
https://pianofundamentals.com/book/en/chapter_1

Lasty, don't be in too much of a hurry to become a virtuoso. Focus on playing music well, whatever the difficultly level is.

[jayeckz]

The reason is because I've kinda gotten a bad habit. Like when I make a mistake, I'll go back and try to correct it until it's good and it's really a bad habit esp when I'm performing. I've gone weeks without passing a song and back then I was graduating to new music books every 4 - 6 weeks

I don't think the habit you mention is limiting your progress.  Usually students that are like this are perfectionist and play pieces really well.

What's probably happening is that you're learning more complex pieces.

My advice to you is to stop worrying about "progressing" like this is a race to beat a level.  Learn music you enjoy, and learn it well!

[clavile]

What you're doing with your practicing is very, very good. It's a spot-on way to practice!

I have the same problem. What I do is try playing through the whole piece, forcing myself not to go back if I make a mistake. You may even have to stop sometimes to focus on NOT GOING BACK, but you'll get it pretty quickly!

Now if you're making a consistent in the same spot every time, by all means start practicing that section over and over.

When performing, you NEVER want to go back if you make a mistake.

The best way to reach it AQAP is to practice and set goals for yourself. In my third year of piano, I decided that I wanted to play movement of a Mozart Concerto, so I asked my teacher about it. She told me that it would take a certain amount of maturity to play, was way above my level, and would be quite a few years before I could play it. I was playing the concerto in 6 months or less.

I haven't ever let what my teachers/friends told me I couldn't play yet stop me. I believe it is the best way to make progress. Set goals, and strive to reach them.

I hope that is the information you're looking for!

Best wishes!